Car construction



July 25, 1939.

D. H|NDAHL- GAR CONSTRUCTION Fi-led Sept. 3, 19258 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 W'Aa l/f l"Pro July 25,1939.-l ID, HlNDA'HL 2 2,167,362

GAR CONSTRUCTION Filed sept. s. 195s s sheets-'sheet 2 V INVENTOR. DAWDHNDAHL ATTO f 1, l l

Patented July 25, 1939 CAR- CONSTRUCTION David Hindahl, Chicago, Ill.,assgnor to Rodger Ballast Car Company, Chicago, Ill., a corporation ofMaine Application September 3, 1938, Serial No. 228,342

6 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in dump cars of the type known asballast cars, from which the lading may be discharged either vcentrallybetween the rails ofthe track, or tothe outside of the rails, or to bothpositions at the same time, and which are commonly known as selectiveballast cars. A car of this type is shown in itsv general features inthe patent to Morey No. 1,694,077 of December 4, 1928.

li) It is the general object of this invention to provide a car of thistype in whichthe assembly at the shop is greatly facilitated, the numberof operations in manufacture reduced, its weight materially lessened,resulting in a reduction in the cost of manufacture while at the sametime preserving the required strength of thev various structural parts.y

The various features cooperating' to produce this result are an improvedconstruction of certain of the hopper parts, enabling the use in thiscar of a pre-fabricated side wall having inside stakes which extendcontinuously from the top chord to the bottom chord ofthe side wall andwhich may beV applied to the other parts of the car as a unit during theassembly operations.

To provide further a novel means for bracing and supporting the sidewalls and ,other component parts of the car, eliminating the ordinarygusset plates hitherto used.

To provide further a Vunitary bracket casting for supporting thelongitudinal shaft of the operating mechanism, which casting isVprovided with lubricating means. for the shaft while at the same timebracing andvsupporting the inner side slopes of the hopper.

These and .other objects not specifically enumerated will readily appearto one skilled in the art as the following description proceeds, itbeing understood that theparticular embodiment l of the invention hereindisclosed is merely given by way of illustration and is notto beconsidered as limiting the invention in any respect as the scope thereofmay be determined from the appended claims when given the broadestpossible interpretation permitted by the'prior art.

Referring to the drawingsa v Figure 1 is a side elevational view of theVcar of this invention, in its'partially'a'ssembled state; that is vtosay, with its side wallfnotjI yet applied;

50, Figure 2 is an elevational view of the preformed side wall to beapplied to the car of Figure 1; Figure' isa fragmentary perspective*view of af carconstructed inA accordance Awith this inventionpshowingthe arrangement o f parts as seen from the inside; Y

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional View taken through the body of the carshown in Figure 1, and illustrating the construction of the hoppers,side walls and hopper doors;

Figure 5 is an enlarged perspective of a novel 5I form 4of bracket,which constitutes a part of this invention, and which is utilized as asupport for slope sheets of the hoppers, a center sill separator, aswell as means for mounting the center shaft of the door operatingmechanism, with lubri'cat- 1U ing means therefor.

By referring to the drawings, it will be noted that this invention ishere illustrated as embodied in a car having the usual wheels I0, whichsupport the usual trucks (not shown) under each 15 end of the car, eachof which has the usual' truck bolster. Supported on the truck bolstersis a' center sill I2 which extends from one end of the car to the other,and adjacenteach end is a body bolster I3 which serves as a cross-memberfor 20 supporting each end ofthe car. The construction of these bolstersis more clearly shown in Figure 1, from' which it will be noted that thebottom portion thereof comprises a strap I4 which underlies the loweredge of the body bolster and passes 25 downwardly under the center' silland upwardly on the other side in such manner as to connect the bottomchords'of the side walls. Y

On top of the body bolster I3 are end slope sheets I5 which arepreferably made of sheet' 30 metal and which are disposed at the properangle to cause the lading to slide downwardly toward the discharge doorsunder the action of gravity.

The slope sheets are preferably formed with upstanding side anges I6which are subsequently 35 riveted to the side walls in the mannerhereinafter explained.

At the lower central portion of the slope slets I5 where they intersectthe surface of the center sill, the slope sheets are cut away sovas tostraddle 40E the center sill and its hood. This hood of'inverted V-shapeextends continuously over the center sill from end slope to end slope.lAt the edge of the cut-away portion the center `sill hood 'terminatesin a, flange I5y which underlies the 45 supports the edge of theslopesheet'but also closes 55 any crack that would otherwise be formed alongthe side face of the center sill.

The side slope sheets 2D are continuous from end slope to end slopeadjacent the hoppers, so as to form side shedding surfaces directing thelading toward the discharge doors.

One particular feature of novelty in this invention resides in theconstruction of these side slope sheets, and more especially in thenotches 2| along the upper edge thereof, which are most clearly shown inFigures 1 and 3. These notches are so formed and located as to receivethe side stakes of the car in a manner hereinafter more fully set forth.

It is important to observe here, however, that these notches makepossible the use of prefabricated unitary wall constructions having theside stakes on the inner surface of the wall extending uninterruptedlyfrom the upper chord to the lower chord.

The side slope sheets have inclined edges at their ends, as clearlyshown in the drawings,which conformY to the incline of the end slopesheets, so that the iianges 22 which extend inwardly from the inclinededges of the side slope sheets may engage the lower edges of the endsl-ope sheets to form by rivets or other suitable means, an attachmentVbetween the cooperating edges of the side and end slope sheets,respectively. Inasmuch as the side slope sheets are inclined inwardlyfrom top to bottom, the end slope sheets are preferably cut at an anglealong their lower outside edges to conform to the angularity of the sideslope sheets. This construction permits a neat and strong joint betweenthe edges of the slope sheets.

At the bottom edges, disposed on opposite sides of the center sills, adepending apron 23 is provided, held by suitable braces 24, all in amanner which is clearly understood in this art. These aprons are clearlyshown in Figures 1 and 3, and provide means for confining the ladingduring the discharge operation to a path of flow determined by theopening of the doors and preventing the lading from spilling over theedges of the dis- 'Ihe central portion of the cross-tie 25 is cut awayto form an opening 28 which conforms in lshape to the upper surface ofthe center sill hood 29.

At the location of the central cross-tie 25, there is an angle member 30which conforms to the shape of the hood. This angle has a web 30disposed against the side of the cross-tie and secured thereto by rivetsor other suitable means.

It is also secured to the lower end of the diagonal braces 32, ashereinafter described. A flange 3BY abuts the upper surfaces of thecenter sill hood and the face of the center sill. This flange 30" i isriveted through the center sill to the portion 12 of one of the bracketsl!! located at this pointl hereinafter described. 'I'he lower ends ofthe flanges S'of the memberV 3i) thus provide securing means for thediagonally disposed braces, while the flange 3D", secured as describedthrough flange of the side stake.

the center sill to the portion 12 of the bracket lll, enables thisbracket 'I0 to receive and transmit the thrusts and strains imposed uponthe diagonal braces. The braces 32 are also suitably secured to thecross-tie 25.

As further illustrated in Figure 3, it is apparent that the internalbraces 32 may be of channel construction and extend upwardly to a pointadjacent the top of the side wall so as to present a portion in contactwith the inwardly extending These contacting parts may be riveted orotherwise secured, as shown at 5) in Figure 3.

One feature of this construction is that a bent strap member 5I isadapted to overlie the upper chord and the upper end of the diagonalbrace 32, with the horizontal portion 52 thereof riveted vto thehorizontal flange of the upper chord and the downwardly extendingportion 53 thereof secured to one of the flanges of the channel brace32.

These diagonal braces take the place of the usual heavy gusset plateswhich are connected ordinarily to the center tie and to a side stake ofthe car, the rivets at the side stake being largely in tension and thegusset plates being of considerable Weight owing to the amount ofmaterial used therein. By the use of the diagonal braces attached byrivets to the top chord, I place the rivets in shear, thus giving thenecessary strength at this point. Without the use of a large number ofrivets, I am enabled to provide the necessary support for the sides bythe use of less material, and owing to the connection of these braces tothe center sill and cross-tie, to form a firm and rigid structure.

The car of this invention involves the use of unitary preformed sidewall constructions of substantially the type illustrated in Figure 2,each of which comprises an upper chord 35 and a lower chord 33. As shownin Figure 3, these chords are preferably of angular construction of thetype now in common use. Connecting the upper and lower chords arevertically disposed side stakes 3l which, in combination with certainother elements, constitute an essential feature of this invention. Theside stakes are preferably disposed in the manner shown, that is to say,with the endmost stake spaced inwardly from the extreme ends of theupper and lower chord members and placed at the bolster ends.

The space formed between the end side stakes is covered with a largeside sheet 38, which may be formed in any suitable manner, but as hereillustrated is preferably formed as a single sheet of steel, secured byrivets or other suitable means tothe side stakes and to the top andbottom chords. At the ends of the side walls of the car are smaller sideplates 39, which are preferably formed with an angular bottom edgespaced upwardly from the bottom chord substantially in the manner shown.It is apparent that it is not necessary to have the side sheet at thisportion of the car extend all the way to the bottom chord because it isonly necessary to enclose the hopper portion thereof. These sheets 39are likewise secured by rivets or other securing means to the upperchord and to the end side stakes against which they are positionedi.This as-f sembly is made before application of the side to the car.

In assembling the car of this invention, the center sill, with its hood29, cross-tie 25 and the body bolsters I3 already attached, is rstplaced in the proper manner on the cartrucks, or any fil)Y upper edge ofthe side slope sheets are notched other suitable supporting meanswhichgwill renable it later to be mounted onfthe car' trucks. Thereafterthe end slope sheets I5 aremountedin place and supported on the kangularflange 3T, as shown in Figure 1 of the drawings, at the upper end of thebody'bolsters'. The lower end of the end slope' sheets are disposed soas 'to straddle the center sill and the edges of the cut-out are securedto the anges I5' provided at the end of the center sill hood.

Next the side slope sheets are mounted in position'and their endsattached to the inclined side edges of the end slope sheets'and theirYcentral portions supported by attachmentto the central cross-tie 25.The central cross-tie', which is cut out in its center to overlie thecenter sill hood, is anchored to the hood and center sill by means ofrivets or otherwise secured'. through the flanged member 30. f

At this point in the assembling operation, the car is ready to receiveas a unit the preformed unitaryv side wallconstructions, and it willv benoted that the top edges of the side slope sheets have been notched toreceive the side stakes located on the inner surface of the side walls.

Next the entire wall assembly as a preformed unit, constructed insubstantially they manner illustratedv in Figure 2, is moved intoposition against the side of the car, with the vertically disposed sidestakes extending upwardly through the notches 2I at the upper edge ofthe slope sheets. The iianges of the lower chord members are nextinserted between the bottom'strap member. I4 and the lower edges of thevertical web and their attaching angle members which constitute the bodybolsters. The straps I4 are spaced slightly downwardly from the edgesand flanges thereabove so as to provide a receiving opening for theinwardly projecting flanges of the lower chords. The parts thusassembled are heldl byv suitable rivets or otherwise suitably secured.'I'his Yspace for lower 'chord iiariges is shown at 46 in Figure 1.

The'side sheet is further securedby rivets to' ;posedjcornerposts 45 areapplied and held in position by a connection between the upper and lowerchords of the side wall. The members 45 have secured therebetween an endplate 46 which closes the upper end of the car and which is preferablyjoined by rivets or other suitable means to an upper flange 4'I of theend slope sheet. The upper edge of the plate 46 is preferably secured toan end top chord 48.

It will be noted from Figure 3 that the side slope sheets are reinforcedwith angle braces 21 adjacent the central side stakes, whereby the slopesheets 20 may be secured to the side stakes by rivets or other suitablemeans as shown in Figure 3. These braces 2'I also serve to connect theside slope sheets to the cross-tie 25 through the flanges 26.

It is apparent from this description that the applicant has provided anew and improved car construction which differs from the constructionsheretofore employed, in that the side stakes are disposed on the innersurface of the car wall and extend uninterruptedly from the top chord toa bottom chord, which chord is disposed below the upper edge of the sideslope sheets, and that the to accommodate the side stakes.

It will be noted that the side stake is provided with a slightdepression, as at 54, adjacent the top, to accommodate the top chord andyet leave a flush surface on the outside for the side sheet 38.Similarly at the bottom, the side stake is slightly recessed, as at 55,to accommodate the vertical flange of the lower chord 36 and forproviding a flush outer surface for the side sheet 38.

The bottom edges of the side slope sheets are preferably reinforced by aZ-bar 60 in substantially the manner now common in the art. at spacedpoints throughout the length of the car, brackets 65 are provided,secured in a suitable manner between the horizontal flange of the lowerchordat their outer edges and the bottom edgesof the side slope sheetsat their inner edges. These brackets form suitable supports for doorhinges from which the door may be suitably hung for the opening and'closing' movement.

Adjacent the lower edges of the center sill are one or more brackets 'I6of the type illustrated in Figure 5, which comprise the centraltriangular part 'I0' and the side wing members 1I. The upper portion ofthis bracket lilhas parallel vertically disposed faces 'I2 which areattached to engage the inner surfaces of the center sill. Thisarrangement is clearly shown in Figure 4. The central triangular part'I0' is formed, as shown, in al trough shape adapted to receive packingfor lubricant and to support the crank member of the operatingmechanism.

vThe disposition of the bracketvcauses the at faces 'I3 of the sidewings 'I Ir to underlie the horizontal flanges ofthe center sill so thatthese parts may besuitably secured for anchoring the bracket. side wings1I with their inclined outer surfaces 'I5 are so disposed as properly tosupport. slope sheets .'I6'V on opposite sides of the center sill. Theparts 'I5 are notched at 15', as shown, to underlie correspondingnotches 96 on the slope sheets 16. The bracket lil at the middle portionof the car` is. connected as before described, through the angle membersurrounding the hood and center sill to the lower end of the braces 32,transmitting the strains imposed on these braces andi acting also as aseparator for the center sill. lThe slope sheets 'I6 complete the hopperopening so that a rectangular opening is defined between the slopesheets 16, side slope sheets 20 and the end hopper aprons 23.

Carried on the brackets 65 and disposed so as to control the hopperopenings, are doors of any suitable construction not here shown ordescribed.

From the above description it will be apparent that the applicant hasprovided a newand improved car construction which embodies many novelfeatures, particularly in that the side walls may be prefabricated withtheir side stakes on ther inner surfaces, which extend uninterruptedlyfrom the top chord to the bottom chord in a construction which has sideslope sheets which are notched to receive the side stakes.

In addition to the foregoing, various other novel features will beapparent to one skilled in the art, all of which is specifically setforth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A dump car construction comprising in combination a center sill, endslope sheets supported on said center sill, side slope sheets extendingdownwardly and inwardly a substantial Also,'

When the bracket is thus mounted, they distance from the plane of theassociated side walls of said car and connected between said end slopesheets and having notches along the upper edges thereof which are openexteriorly and are adapted to receive side wall side stakes by lateralmovement of said side stakes thereinto, and side walls having upper andlower chords and inside side stakes and connected to said end and sideslope sheets respectively, with the side stakes thereof disposed in saidnotches and with the lower chord thereof disposed a substantial distancebelow the upper edge of said side slope sheets.

2. A car of the character described comprising in combination a centersill, end slope sheets supported on said center sill, side slope sheetsconnected at their ends to said end slope sheets and having notchesalong their upper edges, said notches being exteriorly open and adaptedto receive side wall side stakes by lateral movement of said side stakesthereinto and prefabricated side walls comprising upper and lowerchords, inside side stakes and side sheets and secured to said side andend slope sheets with the side stakes thereof disposed in said notchesand with said side slope sheets extending downwardly and inwardly from apoint substantially above the lower chord to a point substantiallyinwardly from the plane of the associated side walls of said car.

3. A car of the character described comprising in combination a centersill, end slope sheets, side slope sheets connected at their ends tosaid end slope sheets and having notches along their upper edges, saidnotches being exteriorly open and adapted to receive side wall sidestakes by lateral movement of said side stakes thereinto, prefabricatedside walls comprising upper and lower chords, inside side stakes andside sheets and secured to said side and end slope sheets with the sidestakes thereof disposed in said notches, and with said side slope sheetsextending downwardly and inwardly from a point substantially above thelower chord to a point substantially inwardly from the plane of theassociated side walls of said car, and a cross-beam connecting thecenter sill and said side slope sheets.

4. A car of the character described comprising in combination a centersill, end slope sheets,

side slope sheets connected at their ends to said end slope sheets andhaving notches along their upper edges, said notches being exteriorlyopen and adapted to receive side wall side stakes by lateral movement ofsaid side stakes thereinto, prefabricated side Walls comprising upperand lower chords, inside side stakes and side sheets and secured to saidside and end slope sheets with the side stakes thereof disposed in saidnotches, and with said side slope sheets extending downwardly andinwardly from a point substantially above the lower chord to a pointsubstantially inwardly from the plane of the associated side walls ofsaid car, a cross-beam connecting the center sill and said side slopesheets, and inclined braces disposed centrally of said car extendingfrom said cross-beam at the location of the center sill and the upperchords of said side walls respectively.

5. A car comprising a center sill, end slope sheets supported on saidcenter sill, side Walls, and side slope sheets extending downwardly andinwardly a substantial distance from the plane of the associated sidewalls of said car, said side walls comprising upper and lower chords,side stakes and side sheets disposed outside of said side stakes, theupper edges of said side slope sheets being a substantial distance abovesaid bottom chords and having notches therein accommodating said sidestakes and being exteriorly open and adapted to receive said side stakesby lateral movement of said side stakes into said notches.

6. A car comprising a center sill, end slope sheets supported on saidcenter sill, side Walls, and side slope sheets extending downwardly andinwardly a substantial distance from the plane of the associated sidewalls of said car, said side walls comprising upper and lower chords,side stakes and side sheets disposed outside of said side stakes, theupper edges of said side slope sheets being above said bottom chords andhaving notches therein accommodating said side stakes and beingexteriorly open and adapted to receive said side stakes by lateralmovement of said side stakes into said notches, the upper edges of saidside slope sheets being fastened to said side sheets between the upperand lower chords thereof.

DAVID HINDAHL.

CERTIFICATE CE CORRECTION. Patent No, 2,167,562. 4 July 25, 1939.

' DAVID EINDAEL.

It is hereby certified that ez'z'o'r appears in the printedspecification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as'followsz Page 2, second column, line 15, and page 5, first column, line6h, for "Figure 5 read Figure h.; and that the said Lettere Patentshouldbe Iead with this correction therein that the same may conform tothe record of the casein the Pat# ent Office. Y

Signed and sealed this 12th day of September, A.D. 1959,

Henry Van Ar sdale (Seal) Acting; Commissioner of Patents,

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